THE CURRENT CONTEXT 
Lord Kelvin consists of a diverse school population. Many of our families are new Canadians and are making New Westminster their first home in Canada. We have a school population of 633 students with about 50 different languages spoken. Approximately 60% of our students speak a language other than English at home.

Community connection has always been a focus for our school to ensure our families feel welcomed and comfortable. Communication is a key component for families to have a good understanding of what is happening in our schools and for families to know how their child(ren) are doing both academically and socially.  

Our school community has grown tremendously in the last couple years and the challenges of the pandemic has had an impact. Our focus is to enhance connection and collaboration between home and school. We want to re-invigorate our extended school community bonds.

 
GOAL:  WHAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE 
  • To connect and communicate with families to build and strengthen our school learning community by putting relationships at the heart of all we do.

1. Communication with families is important to build community. We are aiming to have clear communication from teachers to families about what students are learning.

2. We want families to have easy access to the three report cards so they know how their child(ren) are progressing.

3. Give families more opportunities to participate in their child(ren)’s learning at school. 

 We will strive to ensure our parents:   

  • feel connected to their child(ren)’s learning 
  • feel welcome discussing the learning with teachers  
  • know what their child(ren) are doing at school 
  • to understand their child(ren)’s progress 
PLAN:  THE STEPS WE WILL TAKE 
Action Plan: 

  1. We are providing opportunities for families to be invited into the school to engage in meaningful conversations about student progress:
    • One to one welcoming conversations 
    • School wide open house 
    • Three-way conferences 
  1. Classroom communication to families about what learning students are engaged in:
    • Sway through email
    • Weekly emails 
    • Student portfolios

3. Strengthen school community by inviting families to be a part of school wide events such as Multicultural Week.

  1. Make the report card more accessible for families.
SUCCESS INDICATORS:  HOW WE WILL KNOW THAT OUR ACTIONS ARE HAVING THE DESIRED IMPACT 
  • More parents and caregivers coming to engage in school activities​
  • Families will build relationships with each other at school events​
  • Family participation ​
  • Teachers will have an increase in family involvement & communication​
  • Families will have a better understanding of what their child is doing at school
COMMUNICATION:  HOW WE WILL SHARE OUR LEARNING JOURNEY WITH OUR COMMUNITY 
  • Classroom communication with families
  • PAC meetings